Commissioner of Housing Equity

Cynthia joined Toronto Community Housing on January 6, 2014 as the corporation’s first-ever Commissioner of Housing Equity.

Cynthia joins Toronto Community Housing from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, where she headed the refugee protection team for Central Region. She is experienced in adjudication, conflict mediation, arbitration, and claims investigation and review. At the board, she presided over a number of complex, sensitive, and high-profile refugee protection claims, and recently she oversaw the board’s change management process.

Cynthia will draw on her experience in founding the municipal and community engagement unit for the Nuclear Management Waste Organization, and serving as the first director of York University’s Office of Student Conduct and Dispute Resolution. Cynthia’s professional experience also includes serving as a member of the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal, practising social work at Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital, and representing the Province of Ontario at Social Assistance Review Board Hearings.​​Cynthia has a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in social work, both from McMaster University in Hamilton. She is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators. ​

Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE)

This office works to ensure that protections exist for seniors (age 59 and older) and vulnerable tenants who have lost their subsidy or face possible eviction for not paying rent. The office is independent of Toronto Community Housing (the Commissioner reports to the board of directors). It is guided by the principles of integrity, impartiality, and independence.​​